Is New Hampshire a Constitutional Carry State?
Woody's answers are based on published federal and state law. Not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney for your specific situation.
Yes, New Hampshire is a constitutional carry state. You can carry a concealed firearm without a permit if you're legally allowed to possess firearms.
What This Means for You
New Hampshire adopted constitutional carry in 2017, eliminating the requirement for a concealed carry permit for residents and non-residents alike. However, the state still issues permits for reciprocity purposes when traveling to other states. This makes New Hampshire one of the more permissive states for firearm carry.
The Detail
New Hampshire's constitutional carry law allows anyone who can legally possess a firearm to carry it concealed without obtaining a state permit. This applies to both residents and visitors to the state, making it broader than some constitutional carry states that only extend the right to residents.
The state still maintains its licensing system for those who want permits for reciprocity with other states. Many New Hampshire gun owners still obtain permits specifically for travel purposes, since constitutional carry rights don't transfer across state lines. The permit process remains available and follows standard background check procedures.
You still need to follow federal restrictions and cannot carry in federally prohibited areas like federal buildings, courthouses, and schools. Private property owners can also restrict carry on their premises. Age restrictions typically apply, with constitutional carry generally available to those 18 and older for long guns and 21 and older for handguns, though you should verify current age requirements with official state resources.
The law doesn't change prohibited person restrictions under federal law. If you're prohibited from possessing firearms under federal or state law, constitutional carry doesn't override those restrictions. Standard disqualifiers like felony convictions, domestic violence restraining orders, and other federal prohibitions still apply.
Build Impact
Constitutional carry makes New Hampshire an attractive state for gun owners and doesn't add regulatory complexity to your build decisions. You can carry whatever you legally build without worrying about permit restrictions on specific firearm types.